[supernoodles!]

X Factor's bullying 'wasn't that bad'

Sarah Smith from Same Difference says reaching the X Factor final has helped boost her self confidence after 'terrible' bullying at school.

The 18-year-old burst into tears during last week's semi-final as she and brother Sean sang Never Had a Dream Come True - because it brought back difficult memories.

But schoolmate Lauren Sinclair says although the young singer was targeted, in her opinion Sarah didn't come off too badly.

'A few people called her names and she got hit once,' she says.

Former head teacher Keith Clark insists that the bullying was dealt with as soon as the school found out.

'It was resolved overnight,' he tells the Daily Mail. 'There is no need to appeal for a sympathy vote.'